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Volkswagen Up Common Problems, Faults & Repair Costs (2026)

Based on official DVSA MOT test data. View the most common MOT failure categories, pass rates, and estimated repair costs for the Volkswagen Up (2011–present).

MOT Pass Rate

82.5%0.5% above national avg (82%)

Reliability rating: Good — based on approx. 32,000 tests

Dangerous Defects

1.50%

Moderate risk

Retest Rate

12.0%

of failed tests need a retest

Top MOT Failure Categories

1

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

Est. repair: £40–£200

14.8%
2

Suspension

Est. repair: £120–£450

12.5%
3

Brakes

Est. repair: £100–£350

11.2%
4

Tyres

Est. repair: £50–£120 per tyre

10.8%
5

Exhaust, fuel and emissions

Est. repair: £40–£200

7.0%

Where Faults Occur

32.0%

Front

27.0%

Rear

19.0%

Offside

Mileage Benchmarks

At 3 years

16,000 mi

At 5 years

28,000 mi

At 10 years

54,000 mi

Significantly higher or lower mileage than these benchmarks may indicate unusual usage patterns. Check the full MOT history for mileage consistency.

Is a Volkswagen Up a Good Buy?

The Volkswagen Up demonstrates above-average reliability based on MOT test data, with a 82.5% pass rate. This places it 0.5% above the national average, suggesting lower ongoing maintenance costs compared to many competitors.

While no car is without faults, lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues are the most common concern, affecting approximately 14.8% of failed tests. These tend to be relatively affordable to fix at £30–£150.

Volkswagen Up MOT Check & History

View detailed MOT pass rates by year, mileage benchmarks, and full test history data for the Volkswagen Up.

View Volkswagen Up MOT Data

Check a Specific Volkswagen Up

Enter a registration number to view the full MOT history for any Volkswagen Up.

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Other Volkswagen Models

Volkswagen Golf

80.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Volkswagen Polo

79.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Volkswagen Passat

78.2%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Volkswagen Tiguan

83.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Volkswagen T-Roc

86.2%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Volkswagen Touran

77.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

View all Volkswagen models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common MOT faults on a Volkswagen Up?
The top MOT failure on the Volkswagen Up is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, accounting for approximately 14.8% of all failures. Other common issues include suspension and brakes.
What is the Volkswagen Up MOT pass rate?
The Volkswagen Up has an estimated MOT pass rate of 82.5%, which is 0.5% above the national average of 82%. This rates the Volkswagen Up as "Good" for MOT reliability.
Is the Volkswagen Up reliable?
Based on DVSA MOT data, the Volkswagen Up has a good reliability record with a 82.5% pass rate. It has a dangerous defect rate of 1.50% and a retest rate of 12.0%.
How much does it cost to fix common Volkswagen Up MOT failures?
Typical repair costs for Volkswagen Up MOT failures range from £30–£200 for lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues to £120–£450 for suspension problems. Prices are estimates based on typical UK independent garage rates.
What mileage should a Volkswagen Up have?
Based on MOT test data, the average Volkswagen Up covers approximately 16,000 mi by 3 years, 28,000 mi by 5 years, and 54,000 mi by 10 years. Significantly higher or lower mileage may warrant closer inspection.
Should I buy a used Volkswagen Up?
The Volkswagen Up is generally a solid choice based on MOT data. Check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before purchasing, paying particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues and mileage consistency.
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